CA2992875C

CA2992875C - Plasma air purifier

Info

Publication number: CA2992875C
Application number: CA2992875A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Eileen Louise DURFEE
Original assignee: Creatrix Solutions LLC
Current assignee: Creatrix Solutions LLC
Priority date: 2015-07-17
Filing date: 2015-07-23
Publication date: 2021-04-20
Anticipated expiration: 2035-07-23
Also published as: WO2017014780A1; CN108136061B; EP3325021A1; CN108136061A; US20180133356A1; EP3325021A4; US10881757B2; AU2015402770B2; AU2015402770A1; CA2992875A1

Abstract

ABSTRACT A plasma air purifier device is an apparatus that produces large quantities of positive ions and negative ions, for the purpose of air treatment and purification. Working under graphite point discharge, the apparatus produces a large number of small ion clusters which collide with oxygen molecules in the air in order to produce positive and negative ions. A power supply works in conjunction with a main circuit board, sending current to a discharge needle array in order to produce positive ions, via a first electrical lead. Current is also sent to the discharge plate in order to produce negative ions, via a second electrical lead. The apparatus includes different modes of function, allowing for different cycles of air purification. Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-08

Description

PLASMA AIR PURIFIER
The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application serial number 62/193,887 filed on July 17, 2015.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to air purifiers and devices thereof.
In particular, the present invention is a plasma air purifier used to treat air and eliminate volatile organic compounds (VOCs), bacteria, mold and viruses through the simultaneous production of large amounts of positive and negative ions, utilizing a boosted circuit design.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Throughout everyday life, humans are constantly exposed to an abundance of potentially harmful chemicals, including but not limited to Formaldehyde, Acetone, 1,2-Dichloroethane, Trichloroethylene, Tetrachloroethylene, Vinyl Chloride, Benzene, Toluene, Styrene, Dichloromethane, and more. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released gases from particular liquids or solids that are typically found to be much more highly concentrated in indoor settings, rather than outdoor, which negatively impact air quality.
Fortunately, plasma air purifiers have been developed to treat the air and eliminate VOCs. Plasma works as a powerful agent against these compounds and decompose them in less time than other sources, such as ultraviolet light.
Along with this, the benefits of plasma include enabling oxygen to be more effectively absorbed from ionized air and it helps eliminate odors when gases and aerosols contact active oxygen molecules.

Plasma works by the forming millions of ions that travel into the air and attack pollutants. Enormous amounts of energy are released during the neutralization of positive and negative charges, resulting in the change of structure of the surrounding bacteria, then causing bacterial death. Plasma exposure decreases the particle size of metal oxides and purifies the air through bacteria and virus filtration.
Active oxygen molecules bond with bacteria and mold, which cannot multiply once oxidized and destroyed. Current plasma air purifiers produce positive and negative ions in a continuous or alternating fashion in lower concentrations, however, there exists a need for a portable and inexpensive plasma air purifier that simultaneously produces both positive and negative ions into the air in higher concentrations for greater effectiveness.
It is therefore an objective of the present invention to introduce a new plasma air purifier. The present invention works under graphite point discharge, which is produced through independent tiny units of oxygen molecules, leading to the formation of ozone integration strings that quickly breakdown during the air purification process. Since ozone integration strings dissipate so quickly, the ambient air levels of ozone never exceed safe allowable limits, even when the present invention is used in small spaces (e.g. automobiles).
The present invention will generate a large number of small ion clusters when working in an electric field that is generally more than 10 kV, however, this may vary.
These small ions will collide with oxygen molecules in the air to produce positive and negative oxygen ions. Due to their potent activity, positive oxygen ions are able to oxidize and decompose methyl mercaptan, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and other pollutants in very short amounts of time and stimulate the chemical reaction of volatile organic gases. After a series of reactions, carbon and water are ultimately generated. As well, positive ions can destroy the living conditions of active bacteria in the air, inactive bacteria, and spores. Thus, the reproduction of these organisms are disabled and the concentration of bacteria in the surrounding environment is reduced. The production of negative oxygen ions are essential as they may absorb suspended particles weighing dozens of times greater than itself and descent gravity. With this, suspended colloids (aerosols) are removed and the air is purified when the present invention is in use.

2 The present invention makes large quantities of ions so when they come in contact with a bacteria, virus, or mold spore, the ions are transformed into Hydroxide (OH) radicals and the oxidation that occurs is powerful, causing OH radicals to break down the protein surface by repeatedly stealing hydrogen (H) atoms from the organism's surface. Bacteria, viruses, and mold spores cannot mutate to become resistant to this process and in this way a bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal effect is achieved. Overall, the present invention is lightweight, portable, sturdy, durable, easy to use, safe, and effective. The present invention has overcome all the disadvantages of corona discharge plasma generators and similar plasma generating air purifiers, as it produces little to no audible noise, has no power loss, no insulation damage of devices, no purple glow, and no static electricity discharge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fully assembled plasma air purifier;
FIG. 2 is an image displaying an exploded perspective view of the present invention thereof;
FIG. 3 is an image displaying an elevated front side-view of the present invention thereof;
FIG. 4 is a an image displaying an elevated front side-view of the present invention without the handle;
FIG. 5 is a standalone image of the handle, displaying its bottom and front sides;
FIG. 6 is an elevated rear-side view of the present invention without the handle;
FIG. 7 is an image displaying the bottom side of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is an image displaying various components of the present invention, housed within the enclosure cavity;
FIG. 9 is an up close view of that shown in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a standalone image of the bottom cover, displaying its bottom side;
FIG. 11 is another standalone image of the bottom cover, displaying its top side;
FIG. 12 is an image of the present invention without the handle and the discharge plate;

3 FIG. 13 is a standalone image of the discharge plate;
FIG. 14 is an image of the case's enclosure cavity and the power supply, but with the power supply removed from within the enclosure cavity;
FIG. 15 is an up close view of a portion of the case's enclosure cavity, as shown in FIG.
14, displaying the main circuit board, the spring, and various other electrical components;
FIG. 16 is an image similar to that shown in FIG. 14, without the static tape;
FIG. 17 is an image of the discharge needle array;
FIG. 18 is another image of the discharge needle array;
FIG. 19 is an image of the case's enclosure cavity, the discharge needle array, and the power supply. In this image, the discharge needle array and power supply are removed from within the case's enclosure cavity;
FIG. 20 is an image similar to that shown in FIG. 19;
FIG. 21 is another image similar to that shown in FIG. 19;
FIG. 22 is yet another image similar to that shown in FIG. 19;
FIG. 23 is an elevated front-side view of the present invention thereof;
FIG. 24 is an elevated rear-side view of the present invention thereof;
FIG. 25 is an elevated top-side view of the present invention thereof;
FIG. 26 is an elevated bottom-side view of the present invention thereof;
FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the present invention, displaying its top, front, and left sides; and FIG. 28 is an elevated left-side view of the present invention thereof.
DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
In view of the aforementioned problem(s), the present invention is a plasma air purifier. The present invention works under graphite point discharge, which is produced through independent tiny units of oxygen molecules, leading to the formation of ozone

4 integration strings that quickly breakdown during the air purification process. The present invention produces large quantities of positive and negative ions simultaneously, so when they come in contact with bacteria, virus, or mold spores, the ions transformed into Hydroxide (OH) radicals and the oxidation that occurs is powerful, causing OH
radicals to break down the protein surface by repeatedly stealing hydrogen (H) atoms from the organism's surface. Before explaining at least one embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the device is not limited in its application to the details of the components and arrangements as described or illustrated.
The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being utilized and carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phrasing and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, the present invention is primarily used indoors for the purpose of air purification, but the device may be applied to many other settings, situations, and scenarios.
In the preferred embodiment, the present invention is a plasma air purifier.
The plasma air purifier comprises a bottom cover, a case, a handle, a discharge plate, a power supply, a main circuit board, a first electrical lead, a second electrical lead, a discharge needle array, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), and a spring. The case further comprises an enclosure cavity, a plurality of fins, a plurality of cylindrical holes, a power input port, a lead hole, a pressure plate, a discharge needle cavity, a first pillar, and a second pillar. The handle further comprises a plurality of vents. The discharge plate further comprises a plurality of discharge apertures. The discharge needle array further comprises a plurality of needles, a plurality of silicone spacers, and a printed circuit board.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bottom cover is a flat rigid plastic piece that attaches to the bottom of the case, covering the case's enclosure cavity. The bottom cover is generally rectangular in shape, with a small rectangular protuberance on its front side. When the bottom cover is attached to the bottom of the case, the outer edges of the bottom cover are enveloped by the inner walls of the case's enclosure cavity, which is shaped and dimensioned to snuggly receive the outer shape of the bottom cover.

5 In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main body of the case is rectangular and prismatic, with a large opening on its bottom side, exposing the enclosure cavity which extends upwards toward the top side of the case. The cross sectional shape of the enclosure cavity matches the outer shape of the bottom cover. The pressure plate is a small protruding piece of material on the front outer surface of the case, with a height equal to that of the case's main body. The position and shape of the pressure plate corresponds with the small rectangular protuberance located on the front side of the bottom cover.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the enclosure cavity houses the power supply, the main circuit board, the discharge needle array, the spring, the first electrical lead, and a portion of the second electrical lead. The power input port is located and accessible on the rear outer side of the case. The power input port is used to receive an electrical power cord, which connects to the power supply, via wiring. The power supply is attached to the case within the enclosure cavity via one or more means known and understood by those skilled in the art. Electrical wiring is used to interconnect the power supply to the main circuit board, which is fixed to the inside of the case's enclosure cavity, sitting parallel to the pressure plate. An end of the spring is connected to the rear of the pressure plate, with the other end connected to the main circuit board and its electrical pathing. As such, when the pressure plate is touched, pushed, and/or pressed down upon, it will compress the spring slightly, sending a signal to the main circuit board to switch between different modes of operation, which will be explained in detail further on. The first electrical lead is a wire with an end connected to the power supply and another end connected to the discharge needle array's printed circuit board. With this, the power supply works in conjunction with the main circuit board to send electrical current to the discharge needle array, which will in turn produce positive ions.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of LEDs may be located within the cases enclosure, on the exterior of the case, or integrated into the pressure plate. The plurality of LEDs will receive power from the power supply and output different colors or patterns that are visible from outside of the plasma air purifier,

6 working in conjunction with the main circuit board. For the purpose of description, the use of the plurality of LEDs will be explained further on.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the discharge needle array's printed circuit board is an insulated rectangular piece shaped and dimensioned to be received by and fit into the discharge needle cavity. Each of the plurality of needles are thin and metallic cathodes. Each needle is spaced along the length of the printed circuit board, sitting perpendicular to the top side of the printed circuit board. An end of each of the plurality of needles are fixed to the printed circuit board and are electrically connected via copper wiring or a similar material integrated into the printed circuit board.
With this, the power supply sends current to the needle discharge array via the first electrical lead. Each of the plurality of silicone spacers are concentrically attached onto each of the corresponding plurality of needles. Each of the plurality of silicone spacers are shorter in length than each of the plurality of needles, with ends that make direct contact with the printed circuit board's top side surface.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the discharge needle cavity is a small region located on the top inner surface of the enclosure cavity.
The discharge needle cavity is rectangular, being shaped and dimensioned to receive the discharge needle array's printed circuit board. The discharge needle cavity is parallel to the length of the case, being centrally located with respect to the case's front, left, right, and rear sides. The plurality of cylindrical holes are small elongated tubular apertures penetrating through the top of the case and into the discharge needle cavity. These apertures are dimensioned and spaced apart to receive each of the corresponding plurality of needles and corresponding plurality of silicone spacers, when the discharge needle array is docked in the discharge needle cavity. Static tape is used to secure the discharge needle array in the discharge needle cavity, however, other means known and appreciated by those skilled in the art may be used as well or as a replacement. When the discharge needle array is docked in the discharge needle cavity, each of the plurality of silicone spacers will be housed within each of the plurality of cylindrical holes and each of the corresponding plurality of needles will protrude out the case and corresponding cylindrical hole. Each of the plurality of fins are extensions of the cases material, extending upwards from the case's top side surface. The plurality of fins surround the

7 plurality of needles as they protrude from the plurality of cylindrical holes.
Each of the plurality of fins are spaced short distances apart, functioning as a safety guard that prevents users from touching the protruding plurality of needles.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first pillar and second pillar protrude upwards, perpendicular from the top side surface of the case, being located near opposite ends of the case and being spaced apart a distance greater than the length of the of the discharge plate and printed circuit board. The first pillar and second pillar extend upwards a distance sufficiently greater than that of the plurality of fins, as well as the distance in which each of the plurality of needles protrudes from the plurality of cylindrical holes. As such, the first pillar and second pillar are used as mounting locations in which to connect the discharge plate to the plasma air purifier.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the discharge plate is an elongated metallic piece with generally a rectangular shape. The length of the discharge plate is sufficient length so as to extend a distance slightly greater than that of the distance between the first pillar and second pillar. With this, the bottom surface is removably connected to the tops of the first pillar and second pillar, via one or more means known and appreciated by those skilled in the art. The plurality of discharge apertures penetrate through the top and bottom of the discharge plate. The plurality of discharge apertures are spaced apart along the length of the discharge plate, being positioned so as to sit concentrically above the corresponding plurality of discharge needles, when the present invention is fully assembled. As such, each of the plurality of discharge apertures allows for the ions discharged from each of the corresponding plurality of discharge needles to rise upwards uninterrupted.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second electrical lead is a wire with an end connected to the power supply and another end connected to the discharge plate. With this, the end of the second electrical lead connected to the power supply sits inside the enclosure cavity and the other end passes through the lead hole, which extends through the top side of the case, allowing for connection to the discharge plate. As such, the power supply works in conjunction with the main circuit board to send electrical current to the discharge plate, which will in turn produce negative ions.

8 In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the handle is a C-shaped piece with two ends and a straight portion connecting between them. The handle removably connects to the top of the case via means well-known and appreciated by those skilled in the art, with the length of its straight portion lying parallel to the length of the case, discharge plate, discharge needle array, and so forth. When connected to the top of the case, each end of the C-shape sits on the outside of the first pillar and second pillar, with respect to the distance between them and the straight portion sits directly above the discharge plate, with a short distance separating them, allowing users to grasp the handle.
The plurality of vents are located along the length of the aforementioned straight portion, being spaced apart so as to sit concentrically above the corresponding plurality of discharge apertures and plurality of needles, when the present invention is fully assembled. The exterior shape of the plurality of vents is circular. This shape penetrates vertically through the handles straight portion, perpendicular to the top of the case. With this, discharged ions produced by the plasma air purifier will rise upwards uninterrupted.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main circuit board and power supply of the plasma air purifier is able to boost 5-12V low direct current (DC) voltage to a level of over 10kV positive and negative high voltage through a frequency-conversion boosted circuit and ionize air under an electrical field of the positive and negative high voltage that is generated through the discharge needle array and discharge plate. With this, a large number of positive and negative ions are produced.
Due to the presence of a stronger electric field of negative high voltage, more negative ions are produced which makes the plasma air purifier very powerful. The remaining negative ions in the air after neutralization will help remove dust, smoke, odors, and more, thereby improving air quality.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the circuit board generally allows for input voltages of 110V, 12V, 220 V, and 5V USB, however, this may vary.
An electrical cord with a USB end that plugs into a variety of adapters may be used in conjunction with the present inventions power input port, however, any plug end style known by those skilled in the art may be used instead or with other models.
With this, the portable nature of the plasma air purifier, allows for its used almost anywhere in the

9 world, as it can be connected to common rechargeable external USB battery packs or similar power sources.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main circuit board allows for three modes of operation. By pressing on and holding the pressure plate once, one or more of the plurality of LEDs will flash a first color or pattern, signifying actuation of the first operation. In this operation, the plasma air purifier will work continuously and never shut off as long as it is connected to an input power.
By pressing and holding the pressure plate again, one of the plurality of LEDs will flash a second color or pattern, signifying actuation of the second operation. In this operation, the plasma air purifier will cycle on and off for set periods of time, until the operation is changed or until the input power is disconnected. By pressing and holding the pressure plate an additional time, one or more of the plurality of LEDs will flash a third color or pattern, signifying actuation of the third operation. In this operation, the plasma air purifier will cycle on and off for set periods of time that differ from the second operation, until the operation is changed or until the input power is disconnected. It is to be understood that in alternative embodiments, additional modes of operation may be programmed into the main circuit board, including but not limited to remote control operation.
In alternative embodiments of the present invention, small fans will be housed within the enclosure cavity or located elsewhere along the plasma air purifier. These fans will assist with spreading produced ions into the surrounding air. These changes may occur as long as the scope and objective of the present invention remains unchanged.
In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the plasma air purifiers may be turned on their sides and stacked with additional modules of discharge needle arrays and corresponding discharge plates. When stacked each plasma air purifier may be removably connected. Such arrangements allow for use of the present invention is large spaces, such as factories, sports arenas, and more.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit of the scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A plasma air purifier device capable of producing large quantities of positive ions and negative ions, for the purpose of air treatment and purification, which comprises;
a bottom cover;
a case, further comprising an enclosure cavity, a plurality of fins, a plurality of cylindrical holes, a power input port, a lead hole, a pressure plate, a first pillar, a second pillar, and a discharge needle cavity;
a handle, further comprising a plurality of vents;
a discharge plate, further comprising a plurality of discharge apertures;
a power supply;
a main circuit board;
a first electrical lead;
a second electrical lead;
a discharge needle array, further comprising a plurality of needles, a printed circuit board, and a plurality of silicone spacers;
a spring; and a plurality of light emitting diodes.